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HB 1504 · 2026 · House · Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee

Banning price gouging on essentials

AI-generated

prohibiting retailers from engaging in price gouging on certain necessary products and services.

Prohibits retailers from raising prices on necessary goods and services except in certain circumstances and authorizes governmental prosecuting authorities to sue retailers engaged in price gouging.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Prohibits retailers from raising prices on necessary goods and services, except in certain circumstances. II. Empowers any governmental prosecuting authority to sue a retailer engaged in price gouging on behalf of the state.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“"Necessities" means goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public.”
RSA 358-U:1
“This prohibition shall apply to all parties in the chain of distribution, including a manufacturer, supplier, wholesaler, distributor, or retail seller of goods or services.”
RSA 358-U:2
“Any governmental prosecuting authority in the jurisdiction in which the retailer conducts business shall have the authority to enforce this chapter by bringing action on behalf of this state, or as parens patriae on behalf of persons residing in the state, and shall be empowered to seek injunctions to enjoin violations of this chapter.”
RSA 358-U:3
“"Prosecuting authority" means any prosecutor with jurisdiction over the location where a retailer conducts business.”
RSA 358-U:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Alexis SimpsonDPrimeDemocratic Leader
  • Rep. Daniel VeilleuxDDeputy Ranking Member· Transportation
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Rep. Peter BixbyDRanking Member· Environment and Agriculture
  • Sen. Rebecca Perkins KwokaDMinority Leader

Also: Rep. James GruberD, Rep. Mary Hakken-PhillipsD, Rep. Nancy MurphyD, Rep. Rosemarie RungD, Rep. Sanjeev ManoharD, Rep. Toni WeinsteinD

Public testimony

24 signed in online · 7 wrote testimony

63% support38% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Seems impossible to regulate however this is a start to protect consumers”
— Lisa Ayer, Manchestersupports
“Price gouging on necessities during a declared state of emergency is predatory, opportunistic and should not be permitted to be committed against citizens of this state. I support this bill”
— Jennifer legier, Camptonsupports
“Prevents exploitative pricing during emergencies, protecting low-income and vulnerable communities.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchestersupports
“I oppose this bill because it does not expand transparency, protections, or meaningful benefits for New Hampshire residents.”
— Tiffany Gladu, Goffstownopposes
“Only monopoly organizations like SCHOOL BOARDS have the ability to price gouge. So called anti gouging laws prevent a price signal to draw entrepreneurs to solve a problem and compete for the customer.…”
— tom luther, claremontopposes
“Until items "...used to preserve, protect, or sustain life, health, safety, or economic well-being of a person or his or her property" is defined, this bill is unacceptably vague. This bill could be arbitrarily used to prosecute do to lack of specificity.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs4:16:55–4:22:065m 11slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamFull Committee Work Session
  • Mar 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 1 P. 23
  2. Jan 29, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/29/2026 01:15 pm GP 229
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 02/18/2026 02:00 pm GP 229
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 229
  5. Mar 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 03/03/2026 (Vote 14-0; CC) HC 10 P. 8
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.